Liverpool are a team jampacked full of quality as they aim to win the lot under Arne Slot this season.
The fact that the Reds currently sit top of the standings in both the Premier League and Champions League is certainly no coincidence.
Although fans would still like to see some movement during the January transfer window, it’s undeniable that the Liverpool squad is already one of the best in the world.
One area of the team which has been revamped to fit in line with that recently has been the midfield.
Previously aging, sluggish and slow, the Liverpool midfielders are now dynamic, powerful and are once again the real heartbeat of the team.
No one has typified this more than Ryan Gravenberch this season. And according to former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Gravenberch should now be the first name on any of Slot’s teamsheets.
John Obi Mikel hails Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch has been superb this season. The Dutchman has gone from being something of a fringe player to being absolutely integral to everything Liverpool do.
Having retrained as a more defensive minded midfielder, Gravenberch deserves immense praise for the way he has developed his game.
And according to Obi Mikel, the 22-year-old’s displays have now made him the ‘number one’ player that Slot simply cannot do without.
“A player who didn’t get a kick during Klopp’s era, never got a sniff,” the former midfielder tells The Obi One Podcast.
READ MORE: Alan Pardew names the former Man United player Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch really reminds him of
“And this season he’s become an absolute revelation of a player. When you watch him play he is that leg that Liverpool need in midfield, he is that player who takes the ball and drives the ball forward. He has the legs to bomb forward and get back as quickly as possible. He solidifies that Liverpool side.
“Coming from not having a kick to becoming number one in that team sheet, I actually think he’s the number one player on that team sheet right now, the way he’s performing.”
“If you take him out of that team I’d like to see how they’re going to cope without him,” Obi Mikel adds.
“Listen, Mohamed Salah is an important player but I’m talking about a player who keeps the balance within the team, like Rodri is for Manchester City. If you don’t have the engine room of the team it’s going to fall apart. For me, he gets my vote [in team of the season so far].”
Liverpool need to give Gravenberch help
Gravenberch has not been the only impressive player in the Liverpool midfield this season. Alexis Mac Allister is having another impressive campaign as well.
Beyond that pair, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai have also had their moments.
However, it is telling that Slot has picked Gravenberch to start all 24 of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League games this season. He does not want to do without the No.38.
As a result, while the other players can help out, it is also still vital that Liverpool bring in some rotational help for Gravenberch either in January or over the summer.
The former Ajax prospect has indeed been brilliant, but Liverpool need to be careful so as not to wear him out.
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